Chatham-Kent

3 Sites

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian HistoryDoors Open Chatham-Kent

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

Josiah Henson, an African American who escaped plantation slavery in the United States via the Underground Railroad, purchased this property in 1841 and established the Dawn Settlement, a refuge for fugitives from slavery who escaped to Canada. Today, the site is a museum, owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. During Digital Doors Open, take a virtual tour of the site in the video below, or book a live, interactive virtual tour here. Explore Ontario’s Black heritage through this online resource. Watch this moving documentary on the life of Henson (narrated by Danny Glover and directed by Jared Brock). And explore the site digitally through a series of virtual tours found here.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Videos
  • Virtual tours
  • Activities and games
  • Collections and resources

Contact info

29251 Freedom Road
Dresden, Ontario
https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/properties/josiah-henson-museum

Architecture

Year built: 1840s
Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

Mar 28 - Mar 28

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca MuseumDoors Open Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum

The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, research and preservation of Chatham-Kent’s Black history. In the early 1800s, Black families settled along McGregor’s Creek in the town known then as The Forks. The village soon became a haven for runaway slaves and, by 1850, its population was one-third Black. Blacks in Chatham thrived in business, education, medicine, sport and literary and cultural arts. News of their success attracted Blacks to the area from across North America. The history of Blacks in early Chatham is not only of local significance; but their contribution and participation in Southwestern Ontario over the years has also left a fundamental impression on the national landscape. During Digital Doors Open, watch this video to learn more about the history of Chatham. Discover some of the museum's online exhibits. Explore the Breaking the Colour Barrier website to learn more about the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball team. And download and enjoy a colouring page and word search puzzle.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Videos
  • Virtual tours
  • Activities and games
  • Collections and resources

Contact info

177 King Street East (inside the WISH Centre)
Chatham, Ontario
https://ckbhs.org/

Architecture

Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

Mar 28 - Mar 28

Buxton National Historic Site & MuseumDoors Open Chatham-Kent

Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

This site encompasses the 3,642 hectares (9,000 acres) that made up the Elgin settlement, established in 1849 by Rev. William King. Find a brief description of the museum in the video below. The complex includes a restored 1861 schoolhouse and a church and cemetery dating from 1866. The site is also one of the few remaining African-Canadian settlements from the era before the American Civil War. As part of Digital Doors Open, explore Ontario’s Black heritage through this online resource, and check out this video on the Underground Railroad as well as this Archives of Ontario documentary that explores the history of the Black community in Buxton.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Videos
  • Collections and resources
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

21975 A.D. Shadd Road
North Buxton, Ontario
http://www.buxtonmuseum.com

Architecture

Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

Mar 28 - Mar 28